The holiday season is here, and with it comes all the excitement, glitter, and perhaps a little bit of chaos (we see you, Elf on the Shelf fans!). As we head into these final weeks before winter break, we want to take a moment to thank you for your partnership and support during this busy time of year.

We know December can feel like juggling a million holiday ornaments while managing work, family, and school events. But here’s the thing: together, we’re creating something special for our kids—a season filled with learning, joy, and lasting memories.

While your students are building gingerbread houses, crafting snowflakes, and maybe losing a pencil or two in the process, know that our staff is here to guide, encourage, and cheer them on every step of the way. And we couldn’t do it without your help! Whether you’re sending in supplies, volunteering at events, or simply ensuring your student arrives at school ready to learn, you’re a huge part of the magic.

As we count down the days to winter break, let’s keep working together to finish this semester strong. Your support makes all the difference in helping us provide the best possible experience for our students.

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful holiday season, and maybe a little extra patience if your home is currently covered in glitter. Thank you for being part of our Cascade family—we’re so grateful for you!

Warm regards,

Cascade Schools Administration

3 of our amazing JH students were selected for the Southwest Idaho Middle School Honor Band. This is an amazing achievement and should be celebrated as much as our athletes who make it to districts and state.

The students who made it into this competitive band are:

Clarissa Atwood

Chloe Howlett

Emma Taylor

The SWIMS Honor Band Concert will be held on February 8th at 4 pm at Summitview Middle School in Nampa.

** Full day of School on 12/19/24**

NO SCHOOL

December 20, 2024 - January 5, 2025

SCHOOL RESUMES

Monday, January 6, 2025

SCHOOL CANCELLATION INFORMATION:

In the event that school is cancelled, here is the outline of how it all goes down.

1. Supt. makes the decision to cancel (usually by 5:30am unless there is other information to warrant waiting)
2. Supt. calls Transportation to inform drivers
3. Supt. starts the phone tree with Principal - phone tree to inform staff
4. Supt. communicates out to community via Website, Thrillshare, Facebook, Instagram, KTVB and community faith based leaders.

DELAY START INFORMATION:

There may be a time where a delayed start will be in order. If that this the decision made the same procedure as listed above will be followed.

• The delayed start time is 10:00am - All of the buses will still run, but at a 2 hour delay. (so, if a bus rider is usually picked up at 7:15, they will then be picked up at 9:15 in the same location).

Dust off your hats and get out your whistles, we need you!

We have openings for Coaching Track

High School Head Track Coach

JH Head Track Coach

JH assistant Track Coach

We also have a need for workers at the home Basketball Games taking admission money to the games.

Contact Ron Emry for questions (ronem@cascadeschools.org).

Do you know of someone that would benefit from having Christmas gifts provided this year? If so, please encourage them to fill out one of the forms (download & print, come by the school, or stop by Cascade Auto) linked below and return it to Cascade Auto by December 6.

If you are someone that would like to provide Christmas gifts, please stop by Cascade Auto to grab a few gifts ideas to shop for.

Parents and students can now apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. The 2025 - 2026 application features more instructive language to help students and families avoid mistakes and takes significantly less time to complete compared to previous versions of the form.

Applicants can start a new form, edit an existing form or access last year's application on the official FAFSA website. The 2025 - 2026 form takes about 20 minutes to complete, though the website recommends blocking out an hour of time to go through the process.

Applicants will need:

• Verified account username and password (FSA ID)
• Parent or spouse contributor name, date of birth, Social Security number and email address
• Income and asset information (if required)

Parents are key members of the IEP team and play an essential role in shaping their child’s educational experience. As a parent, you bring valuable insights into your child’s strengths, challenges, and needs. It’s important to attend IEP meetings and collaborate with teachers and specialists to create a plan that supports your child’s learning. Be proactive in monitoring your child’s progress and speaking up if you feel adjustments are needed.

Nicole Dellabalma

Director of Special Services

nicole@cascadeschools.org

At The Cascade School District, your child’s well-being is always our top priority. As we work to support their academic and social growth, I want to address the important role of recess in their day. Research shows that recess is more than just playtime—it is essential for children’s physical, social, emotional, and mental development.

Some schools or classrooms might use taking away recess as a consequence for misbehavior or unfinished work. While this approach might seem effective in the moment, studies in child development and learning psychology show it can actually do more harm than good. This is a practice that Cascade will not be engaging in any longer for non-recess related behaviors.

The Importance of Recess

Recess provides children with a much-needed break from structured learning. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess helps kids process information, improve focus, manage emotions, and build friendships. It gives them time to practice important social skills, like teamwork and problem-solving, in a natural way.

Without this time, children can feel frustrated, stressed, or even less able to focus on their work. Removing recess as a consequence can make it harder for them to behave well or complete their assignments because they lose the opportunity to recharge.

What Research Says

Experts in education and psychology agree that physical activity and unstructured play are key to helping children succeed in school. Studies have found that regular breaks, like recess, improve brain function and help children regulate their emotions. When children are given time to run, play, and interact with peers, they are more likely to come back to the classroom ready to learn.

On the other hand, removing recess as a consequence can increase anxiety and frustration, which makes it harder for children to focus and behave well. Instead of teaching children how to make better choices, it can leave them feeling disconnected and discouraged.

Our Approach

At The Cascade School District, we believe in protecting recess as a vital part of every student’s day. When addressing misbehavior or unfinished work, we focus on strategies that guide children to make better choices while keeping their need for breaks and movement in mind.

Some examples of what we do instead include:

• Restorative Conversations: Talking with students about their behavior and helping them understand how to fix it.
• Alternative Consequences: Using logical consequences, like finishing work during free-choice time or offering a second chance to make things right.
• Teaching Skills: Helping students learn how to manage their time, make good choices, and stay focused.

Working Together

We want every child to feel supported and ready to learn each day. You can help by encouraging your child to share their feelings and by reinforcing positive behavior at home. If you have any questions or ideas, we are always happy to talk with you.

Thank you for trusting us to care for your child’s growth and learning. Together, we can make sure they have the tools they need to succeed.

Here is what is on the agenda:

• Policy 1500B - Board Meeting Operating Protocol (1st Reading)
• Policy 1500P - Board Meeting Procedures (1st Reading)
• Policy 1600 - Code of Ethics for Trustees (2nd Reading)
• Policy 2500 - Library Materials (3rd reading)
• Policy 2520 - Selection, Adoption, Use, and Removal or Curricular Materials (3rd Reading)
• Policy 3265 - Student Technology, Internet Acceptable Use & Student Owned Electronic Communication Devices (2nd Reading)
• Policy 4105 Public Participation in Board Meetings (1st Reading)
• Policy 5325 - Employee Use of Social Media Technology & Communication (1st Reading)
• Policy 5330 - Employee Electronic Mail and On-Line Services Usage (1st Reading)
• Policy 5335 - Employee Use of Electronic Communication Devices (1st Reading)
• Policy 5430 - Insurance Benefits for Employees/Trustees (1st Reading)
• 2025 Grant Writer Contract
• January 2025 regular board meeting date

Future Meeting Agenda Items:

• Annual Meeting dates
• 2025-2026 Master Calendar

We have a dedicated webpage for Strategic Planning progress so we can all stay in the loop on the work that has been done and where we are headed.

Cascade Strategic Planning Webpage

Email: joni@cascadeschools.org
Website: https://www.cascadeschools.org/
Location: 209 North School Street, Cascade, ID, USA
Phone: (208)630-6057
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CascadeRamblers422
Twitter: @ourschool